Originating in western Côte d’Ivoire, Guéré masks are powerful and imposing, often adorned with horns, fibers, shells, or pigments.

Called “protective” because they embody spirits of the bush invoked to defend the community from spiritual or physical threats, they are used in rituals of war, justice, or purification and help restore social order.

Their deliberately dramatic aesthetic reflects the strength and vigilance of the spirits who watch over the village.